Forum Replies Created

You shouldn’t have a problem with very light clothes unless there’s a stiff breeze coming in from the South. Some stands are very protected and can get very hot – others less so. We were there three years running and never once broke out our brollies. (And now having said that it’ll pour this year.) A brollie would be handy if you’re in a sunny spot for the practice sessions though you can move about pretty freely within your stand for those parts of the event as it’s usually less than half full. Food and drink is expensive inside the venue but we’ve never had a problem bringing in snacks and water. If you have to have a beer I wouldn’t try to get that through security, that might be where they draw the line. If you’re not all that picky about food (that’s me) there’s any number of supermarket food halls that are several cuts above the quality you get here in Australia so you can get a decent feed for cheap. If you’re going for sit down restaurants in tourist areas like Clarke Quay then be prepared for a shock. The YMCA on Orchard (booked by now I’m sure is pretty cheap). As for regular hotel acccommodation, if you find somewhere good, cheap and on the MRT let us all know – hotels prices for the weekend will make your eyes water.

The strength of the SG$ is a worry this year. A couple of years ago it was 25% in my favor. Last year it was virtually 1:1 (after fees) and it looks like the same this year. Any one thinking of waiting to order tickets, you can still get good T1/2 tickets right up to August in my experience but the early bird rate is tempting (ends in May I think).

We were in the pit grandstand in 2011 and it was pretty disappointing. Get seats as far up towards the podium and in the back rows. Te front rows look right into the catch fence and you can’t see over into the pits. If you’re up in the back rows you should be able to get a bit of a view I to the pits. The best pit views are from the corporate boxes above the stand. Also, if you’re at the podium end you’ll see the finish and get a head start onto the track for the presentation and track walk. The middle pit grandstand doesn’t get a lot of breeze either so if its a hot day you’ll roast. The downside of the podium end is that it’s a long walk to gate 1 or 2 as well as the entertainment and food at the village.

We’ve been in T2 for the past 2 years and scouted most of the other locations and its the pick of the standard seats.

@vale
have a look at http://www.youtube.com/user/SirEricCuttlefish/videos or if that doesn’t work google Singapore F1 GP sirericcuttlefish. There’s a bundle of band vids so you’ll need to scroll down a bit. These were taken from Bay A6 of the Turn 2 stand. I had a heap of pics on Flickr but I haven’t used Flickr for a while and now iit’s gone to Yahoo I can’t sign in. It’s all facebook now anyway.

Turn 1 and Turn 2 (in particular) are the best stands for access to entertainment, food, transport and actual track viewing. The price is pretty high for this area but it’s worth it – avoid the pit grandstand because its the same price but a pretty poor view unless you’re in the highest rows of seats so you can see (just) into the pits. That said, the cars go by very fast so viewing isn’t great But you will get very close to the cars on start and finish. Trust me @Vale hot in Singapore is very different to hot anywhere else. The heat drains you pretty quick if you’re not used to the tropics. We’ve been for the past three years and it’s still a shock to the system when you get out of the airport. I’ve got a bundle of photos and videos on the web so send me a pm if you want the links.

Diane. Super early bird tickets for limited stands went on sale virtually the day after the 2013 race. It was probably a limited time offer and closed now but it was something like 40% off – no zone 1 tickets though. The early bird tickets usually go on sale in February for most zones. They usually have a discount of 25% or so which is useful money on a $1000 ticket. Signup to the SingGP website and you will get plenty of email offers.

I agree that the Pit Grandstand is a waste of time and money given that its at the Zone 1 price. We learnt that the first time we went. In some seats you can see into the pits but for all but the formation and start its bad value. We’ve been in the T2 grandstand for the past 2 years and the viewing is excellent in rows 15 and above. You bet three corners, plenty of stop and go, and if you pick the right seat you can see all the way up pit straight. That said, it’s A$1000 for the ticket so it’s an expensive weekend away. The food in village, and I suspect elsewhere, is the usual woeful event concession food which is incredible to me because Singapore is a foodies wet dream. We’ve always gone for three days in the same seats but we’ll probably look at the multi for next year so we can have Friday at bay, Saturday at esplanade and Sunday at T2.

@re-sewn
I’ve been to the past three Sing GPs with my early teenage kids. Ive Never seen a mozzie in the downtown area or around the track. We sit by the water on the grassy areas under the bridge near the Village stage to cool off and get away from the crowds most nights between races. And even right on the water there are no bugs. I think I’ve seen one ad on local TV about mozzie awareness (don’t leave water in bowls outside, that sort of thing) but we those here as well. I’d say the chance of getting anything like dengue is remote if you’re anywhere in the city, sentosa, botanic gardens, marina etc. I’d take Singapore over Monaco any day. The organisation is flawless and you can walk from your hotel to the track in most cases. You don’t get that in a lot of GPs.

@jp There are a million stories in F1. You are spoilt for choice as the circus crosses so many paths. There’s also a wealth of very well researched information out there so data won’t be a problem. You’re obviously clever enough to know that the best ideas don’t come from one single brain, it’s about collaboration. Asking the question on this site is a perfect way to get disparate ideas from around the world. I created, ran and have recently sold my advertising and marketing business and I can tell you that not one individual was ever responsible for a great idea. Keep asking.

I’d like to see something on how city/state/national governments use F1 races to redefine themselves as a brand. Melbourne wants to be “events” city having stolen the race from Adelaide and bidding on every major sporting event they can think of. Singapore, according to what I’ve read, are using the race to redefine themselves as the “event” capital of Asia. this is to me is no doubt to insulate themselves from the fluctuations of the finance sector, possible loss of shipping revenue from the opening of the ice free route to Europe across the arctic from the industrial powerhouses of China Korea and Japan. There’s also an expected decline for their air travel sector now that long range flights from Australia to Europe (one example) can bypass Singapore as the traditional refuel stop.

Esplanade looks like a far better bet then Bay. Get a seat further up the stand so you don’t have the catch fence in your way.

The track opens up in Zone 1 primarily to get the Zone 1 people down to Padang and whatever concert might be on. You walk down the track from the final turn back down to bay. You can’t walk from turn one in race direction. You can probably walk against the tide back to zone 1 withou too much drama, be quick though as they tear down the track and block off areas pretty damn quick.

I really enjoyed the film in spite of the historical liberties taken, it is a dramatisation after all. Good pace, but the little bit of swearing in the film is off putting. It just seemed contrived and out of place. Either you go the whole hog “Glengarry Glenross” style or just leave it out. It’s just sounded a bit lazy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no wowser and I can make complete sentences, paragraphs out of bad language but it jus didn t seem to fit. It is recommended though.

@czhihong
They open a gate right at the end of the T1 grandstand just where the public viewing platform is across from the pit exit lane. That’s right under the bridge. They also open a gate right across from the podium. Usually a big crush but worth it. You can then walk from there down to turn 20 and then to the Promenade MRT or go through to Padang stage or across the bridge to Marina Sands.